Flat stomach...how?

Basically, how do you work out to make your stomach as flat and as toned as possible?

 I literally know nothing, eg, the difference between cardio and weight training. I run quite a lot, as I find it really relaxing. As a result, my calves are quite toned and my thighs...are getting there, but what to do about by stomach and arms?

Any help would be much appreciated,

mango :)

squats and deadlifts.

How do squats and deadlifts flatten your stomach?  I'm intrigued and ignorant to how that works so I'd love an explanation if you have one.

 

flat stomach comes from lots of cardio/running intervals (track and field intervals) and good diet is KEY. 

Diet!

By getting your body fat as low as safely possible.  For this, diet is number 1, followed by weight training, then cardio.

thanks!

I actually meant aside from weight loss - am working on that...

what sort or weight training?

Original Post by austj020:

How do squats and deadlifts flatten your stomach?  I'm intrigued and ignorant to how that works so I'd love an explanation if you have one.

 

If he has one? Did you think he pulled it out of his butt? They work your stomach because you are using almost 50% of your muscles to do those exercises- which include just about everything on your bottom half. People want to sit there and do 20 minutes worth of isolated ab work but in reality, there is no reason to treat your abs any differently from any other muscle group. If you're not getting an ab workout from doing squats and deadlifts, you are doing something seriously wrong

Original Post by floggingsully:

squats and deadlifts.

 Weight lifting for large muscle groups (your legs are your largest muscle group) will increase the amount of calories you burn at rest which will contribute more to weight loss than any other form of exercise, weight loss = flatter stomach.

They also hit all your core muscles while also working your larger muscles.

Thanks :) And no, I didn't think it was pulled out of the butt. Hehe.  I just wanted an explanation.

Thanks again :)

hmmmm...I think he will pull it from his butt.....

Squats and deadlifts are good for your butt.......er, gluteous maximus muscles that is.

Original Post by mango321:

thanks!

I actually meant aside from weight loss - am working on that...

what sort or weight training?

 There is really no other way to have a flat stomach.  at all.  Low body fat = flat stomach.  I believe Spirochete gave an excellent summary (as always) of why squats & deadlifts are great workouts.  If you want info about building a weightlifting routine though, T-Nation and BodyBuilding are good resources to get you going.  Also, this website is a great resource for lifting (and more importantly, proper form): http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

I think running goes a long way to flattening a stomach.  I've watched mine get more and more toned since I've started running in August 2007.  If you haven't ran before, there's a great podcast on iTunes, just search out Podcasts for Running and you should find one by Robert Ulrey.  It's a 9 week program to get you off the couch and running a 5k.  I loved it!

Floggingsully>> squats and weightlifts for a flat stomach...

Would like to see Ethiopian long distance runners move an empty barbell, let alone lift it!!!

Over long distance running nations exist, but I have particular admiration for the Ethiopian team.

I must say I was always one in the past to spend 10 minutes or more doing crunches and various "core exercises" at the gym...but after spending entirely too much time reading the posts on this forum, I have recently eliminated the crunches and started up doing the squats and deadlifts and other combo exercises, and I can tell you that they definitely work your core in addition to many other muscles than your standard crunch or ab routine...so why not!

Original Post by eddiepotter:

flat stomach comes from lots of cardio/running intervals (track and field intervals) and good diet is KEY. 

 Not necessarily. Over the summer I ate a veeerrryy clean diet and ran intervals for about 45 minutes a day, 6 days a week. And I STILL had a belly pooch!

Eat a ton of fruits and vegetables, and try to cut down a little on junk food, sugar, dairy, and foods containing yeast, like bread. At least that's what I've heard - I've tried it before, and it seems to make a big improvement. :)

high fiber diet w/ plenty of water. push ups are great for the stomach, back and arms.

Im a girl who reads men health! I know sounds silly but i love it. And i look at all the lush guys with there ultra toned tummies and think thats what I want. Not muscly but toned.

The idea of a nice flat tummy is in a mixture of what you eat and what type of exercise you do.

For Starters picking a diet you can stick too, and try not to cut out all your carbs as they are vital for a good healthy exercise plan. Make sure you eat lean meats, and aim for more fish and white meat. Fibre is a good idea on a diet too and water. What goes in needs to come out! The quicker its out the better

Then a good exercise routine of mix of cardio and weights. I personally aim for 3 days of 45 mins cardio, either running, ice skating or walking. Then 2 days of weights, sit ups and squats. weekend is a rest days.